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emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Classism
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment
Minor: Grief
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
<This entire review contains spoilers>
The first ten chapters of this novel were, in my opinion, the strongest. Brontë’s commentary on socially accepted forms of child abuse, religious hypocrisy, and women’s supposed roles in society were well thought out and packed a punch in these chapters.
However, that’s unfortunately where the pros of this book end for me. The ‘romance’ between Jane and Edward was rushed and I did not feel any chemistry between them. Bertha was a shoddy plot device that wasn’t even realized to the full potential or given any actual depth. Saint Rivers… horrific.
The only characters I enjoyed throughout this novel were Jane and the women who she was friends or companionable with.
While I can see how it could have been great for its time, I think the actual plot is lacking, the characters are inconsistent (outside of Jane), and the romance hindered the previous themes that could have been better explored without it.
The first ten chapters of this novel were, in my opinion, the strongest. Brontë’s commentary on socially accepted forms of child abuse, religious hypocrisy, and women’s supposed roles in society were well thought out and packed a punch in these chapters.
However, that’s unfortunately where the pros of this book end for me. The ‘romance’ between Jane and Edward was rushed and I did not feel any chemistry between them. Bertha was a shoddy plot device that wasn’t even realized to the full potential or given any actual depth. Saint Rivers… horrific.
The only characters I enjoyed throughout this novel were Jane and the women who she was friends or companionable with.
While I can see how it could have been great for its time, I think the actual plot is lacking, the characters are inconsistent (outside of Jane), and the romance hindered the previous themes that could have been better explored without it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Abandonment, Classism
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Incest, Fire/Fire injury
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i loved this book so much. so well written and i enjoyed every second of reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Incest, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, Classism
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
it is an honor to have been alive to read this book
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Incest
the incest references the near marriage of jane to her own cousin, which i am aware was a normal occurrence in that period of time, but like, ew!
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
The more I think about Jane Eyre, the more torn I feel. My initial knee-jerk reaction was dislike — the content matter here (a teenage orphan being groomed by a 40yo dude) sure put me off my pie. I could see that the romance wasn’t the main point of the book — the focus is rather Jane’s quest to be seen and loved all the same — a theme that reminded me of another messed up story, that of TV Hannibal. And I thought, if I can sort of accept it in Hannibal, what’s stopping me here? Reader, I do not know.
Then there was another thing — repeated and manifold allusions to fairytales. When Jane first enters Thornfield, she is reminded of Bluebeard’s castle (and how telling, isn’t it). When she and Mr. Rochester first meet, they both mistake each other for a fairy creature &c. I doubt that’s a coincidence. What is a coincidence, as it could have hardly been anticipated by Ms. Bronte, is that all these themes conspired to remind me of one of my earlier reads, Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Estes — a book which approaches traditional fairytales through feminist and psychological lenses, applying their storylines and characters to (not solely) the feminine psyche. And looking at Jane Eyre in this spirit, well. It really adds something extra for me. What a beautiful, maddening, infuriating look into a woman’s soul.
I’m still not sure I quite liked this book — it made me fed up in many ways. But I can’t rate it 1 star anymore.
Then there was another thing — repeated and manifold allusions to fairytales. When Jane first enters Thornfield, she is reminded of Bluebeard’s castle (and how telling, isn’t it). When she and Mr. Rochester first meet, they both mistake each other for a fairy creature &c. I doubt that’s a coincidence. What is a coincidence, as it could have hardly been anticipated by Ms. Bronte, is that all these themes conspired to remind me of one of my earlier reads, Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Estes — a book which approaches traditional fairytales through feminist and psychological lenses, applying their storylines and characters to (not solely) the feminine psyche. And looking at Jane Eyre in this spirit, well. It really adds something extra for me. What a beautiful, maddening, infuriating look into a woman’s soul.
I’m still not sure I quite liked this book — it made me fed up in many ways. But I can’t rate it 1 star anymore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Colonisation
emotional
Diverse cast of characters:
No
When it’s good, it’s really good. I sighed, I cried. But when it misses… oof. How I yearn for some of these classics to have had good editors.
I love how much you can read between the lines with what Jane does and does not narrate. I love how much she blossoms once she’s finally in a place that feels like home. Jane and Rochester are both interesting characters, and a lot of their interactions are dynamite. I love the idea that their romance stems from a deep affinity, but we don’t get to see enough of that affinity. I wish we got more from Rochester after the revelation - he’s actually in surprisingly little of this book. Weirdly, I feel like I didn’t really get to know him as much as I should have.
St. John drove me nuts, and I’m so mad thathe claims the closing of the book . Like, Charlotte. What the fuck. Why did I have to listen to that man one last time ?!?!?
The constant god-talk wore on me, and some of the language and descriptions were repetitive. Parts of the book really drag, and just feel like unnecessary filler. Also Bronte’s racism… really showed. It was rough.
I love how much you can read between the lines with what Jane does and does not narrate. I love how much she blossoms once she’s finally in a place that feels like home. Jane and Rochester are both interesting characters, and a lot of their interactions are dynamite. I love the idea that their romance stems from a deep affinity, but we don’t get to see enough of that affinity. I wish we got more from Rochester after the revelation - he’s actually in surprisingly little of this book. Weirdly, I feel like I didn’t really get to know him as much as I should have.
St. John drove me nuts, and I’m so mad that
The constant god-talk wore on me, and some of the language and descriptions were repetitive. Parts of the book really drag, and just feel like unnecessary filler. Also Bronte’s racism… really showed. It was rough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Ableism, Child death, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, Classism
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Fatphobia, Racial slurs, Xenophobia, Blood, Antisemitism, Medical content, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
JANE MY BELOVED.
I did NOT expect to love this book so much, but mostly picked it up out of curiosity. It is easily one of my new favorites, and will live on my bookshelf to be reread over and over again.
I was absolutely entranced by Brontë’s writing style, and found this book to be a quick read because of it (given that it is 1800’s literature). I was fully on board with Jane Eyre’s character development until the very end, which seemed to dismantle a lot of the growth she had gone through.
I absolutely despised most of the male characters, Rochester most of all, but maybe that’s part of why I couldn’t put the book down.
I feel that this book was definitely written to be a romantic story, but I personally interpret it as a horror: you have a young woman who is trying to make a reasonable life for herself after growing up in abusive conditions being preyed upon by an older man. That older man is rich and mysterious and incredibly manipulative, and also keeps his first wife locked in the walls. Our heroine leaves upon this discovery but after finding some decently solid footing for herself following some serious trials, she returns to this nasty guy, and marries him. A truly tragic and cruel end for our leading lady.
I did NOT expect to love this book so much, but mostly picked it up out of curiosity. It is easily one of my new favorites, and will live on my bookshelf to be reread over and over again.
I was absolutely entranced by Brontë’s writing style, and found this book to be a quick read because of it (given that it is 1800’s literature). I was fully on board with Jane Eyre’s character development until the very end, which seemed to dismantle a lot of the growth she had gone through.
I absolutely despised most of the male characters, Rochester most of all, but maybe that’s part of why I couldn’t put the book down.
I feel that this book was definitely written to be a romantic story, but I personally interpret it as a horror: you have a young woman who is trying to make a reasonable life for herself after growing up in abusive conditions being preyed upon by an older man. That older man is rich and mysterious and incredibly manipulative, and also keeps his first wife locked in the walls. Our heroine leaves upon this discovery but after finding some decently solid footing for herself following some serious trials, she returns to this nasty guy, and marries him. A truly tragic and cruel end for our leading lady.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence
Minor: Suicide
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“I am no bird; and no net ensnares me; I am a free human being, with an independent will.” - Charlotte Brontë.
Orphaned, abused, and alone, Jane Eyre endures a childhood and adolescence strife with suffering. In her earliest memories, she is tormented by her wealthy cousins. Sent to a run-down charity school in Lowood, her agony continues as she faces a severe epidemic. But bright and studious, she leaves to become a governess to Mr Rochester’s ward, Adele, at Thornfield. Jane and Rochester’s affair is passionate, yet torrid, as she uncovers his shameful secret, leaving her no choice but to leave. Blithely ending, Brontë explores the nature of true love through Jane’s recount of her survival, fervent affair, and quest for autonomy.
Easing me out of my ‘big-book-fear,’ it became one of my favourite books. The narrative’s pacing is near perfection. Brontë does not allow Jane to stagnate in her predicaments, which provides opportunities for varied landscapes, an array of striking personalities, and inspiring character development. Inevitably, I admired the unrelenting heroine. She endures every setback gracefully, cleverly, and with a great deal of love. In the face of immense trauma, she emerges as a stronger person, unfailingly asserting her boundaries. Jane Eyre is an essential role model for all women searching for their place in the world.
As an avid reader of Gothic fiction, her tasteful use of Gothic elements contributed to an emotionally rich narrative, exemplifying Jane’s anxiety, conjuring dramatic tension. Through Jane’s fervent recount, I experienced a range of emotions so vividly.
Though I can admit that Jane and Rochester’s age gap is inappropriate, I cannot help but adore them. Their romance was less central to the narrative than I expected. Alternatively, Jane’s journey for independence is centre stage. I much prefer this approach as I’m beginning to realise that I’m not as fond of the romance genre as I thought I was! Brontë carries out a timeless exploration of love. To Brontë, love overcomes all. Love is worth all the hard work, and more. Love subverts expectations. Rochester is frequently described as conventionally “ugly.” I was initially disappointed that he wasn’t a strapping hero, but soon, most likely due to excellent writing, I, too, grew affectionate for him. He recognises Jane as his intellectual equal, cherishing every aspect of her, including her argumentative personality. He is rather eccentric, but perhaps she wrote a character exclusively for Jane (and for herself).
Brontë is not reckless with this depiction of passionate love. Rochester’s blindness and poverty, and Jane retrieving her £5,000 (£662,879.16 today) ensure that they’re appropriately matched, which speaks loudly for the era it was written for. Likewise, Brontë’s approach to ethnic minorities is immensely problematic. This includes the representation of the racially ambiguous “mad woman in the attic” (Bertha), who is from Jamaica, the missionaries to India, and overt Christian messages. Published in 1847, this was unsurprising as the British Empire was at its peak. I thought Bertha was overly demonised. Charlotte Brontë was a skilled enough writer to illustrate her as sympathetic and psychologically complex, rather than wholly villainising her. Bertha’s attempts to burn Mr Rochester were excessive, as I was already rooting for his and Jane’s betrothal, despite Bertha’s marriage to him. As lovely as this book can be, holding some important lessons, it is borderline British Empire propaganda, which prevents me from rating it five stars.
My journey with Jane Eyre and the Brontë sisters is far from over. I will certainly be rereading Jane Eyre, and as I excitedly await university, I’m hoping for an opportunity to study this renowned masterpiece. Jane’s determination, intelligence, passion and work ethic are inspiring. Though I do wish Bertha was presented more sympathetically.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Racism, Xenophobia, Grief, Death of parent, Abandonment, Pandemic/Epidemic